On the surface, your home may seem like a buyers’ dream. It has the right number of bedrooms, an updated interior, awesome curb appeal and a brand-new HVAC unit. A realtor runs the comps and assigns a gloriously high value to your home. You welcome potential buyers and their inspectors with open arms — and then you watch as your home’s value begins to disintegrate. Horrible terms such as “mold,” “cracked foundation,” “leaky roof” and “termites” turn your dreams of a huge payday into a nightmare.
While a pre-listing inspection will not make your home’s troubles magically disappear, it can help you price your home realistically. It can even save you money in the long run, as it gives you the option to either make the repairs beforehand or to reduce your listing price and disclose issues to potential buyers. Both options will result in a quicker sale than had you listed the home with ignorance of its issues.
